Lewiston Council passes zoning amendments, parking fee hikes, and property sales

The Lewiston City Council held a workshop to review the city's 2025 financial audit, which received a clean opinion, before moving to a business meeting where they approved several zoning code changes and parking fee increases. Public comment was dominated by continued scrutiny of the distribution of funds raised after the 2023 mass shooting, with residents urging the council to demand transparency from the Maine Community Foundation.

Key points

• Ron Smith of HR Smith & Company presented the city's June 30, 2025 audit, noting a clean unmodified opinion and highlighting a $31 million assigned fund balance.
• The council passed final passage on amendments to the zoning code regarding accessory dwelling units, daycares, and tree calipers by a 7-0 vote.
• A proposed amendment to the zoning code including a 20-foot minimum height requirement for the Neighborhood Commercial Business district failed by a 0-7 vote due to concerns about restricting housing development.
• The council approved an increase to parking violation fines, which had not been adjusted since 2012, with the largest increase being $24 for double parking.
• The council approved the sale of 40 Robinson Gardens for $399,000 and the waiver of utility lien foreclosures on distressed structures in mobile home parks.
• Multiple residents, including state representatives, addressed the council regarding the allocation of $1.9 million in shooting relief funds to nonprofits rather than directly to victims and families.

Next steps

• The city will begin meetings with department heads this week to review budgets for the FY27 proposed budget, which is due by charter in March.
• The city has released a comprehensive timeline and flowchart of the mass shooting donation funds on its website and social media accounts.
• The Planning Board will revisit the zoning code height requirements and lot size restrictions in a future round of ordinance changes.
• The council will hold a workshop on a charter commission and an ordinance regarding immigration enforcement on February 17.

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